Freedom Center announces selection of new president

CINCINNATI — The National Underground Railroad Freedom Center will have a new president next month.

The Freedom Center announced Tuesday that Dion Brown will assume the presidency effective Feb. 26. Brown currently is executive director of the National Blues Museum in St. Louis.

Brown’s responsibilities at the Freedom Center will include the development of a comprehensive strategic plan addressing programs and capital needs.

Brown became the founding executive director of the National Blues Museum in June 2015. He previously was executive director of the B.B. King Museum and Delta Interpretive Center in Indianola, Mississippi. He also previously served as chief operating officer for Exploration Place in Wichita, Kansas.

The Freedom Center’s former president, Clarence Newsome, stepped down in March 2017. He now serves on the board of directors.